What Earth's Best Is

Earth's Best is an organic baby food brand owned by Hain Celestial Group. The company makes jarred baby food, pouches, snacks, and formula for infants and toddlers, and every product is certified organic — meaning no synthetic pesticides, artificial flavors, or added hormones in the ingredients. You'll find Earth's Best on grocery store shelves alongside other baby food brands, usually in the baby aisle near conventional options like Gerber.

The brand has been around since 1985 and focuses on single-ingredient purees for younger babies (like sweet potato or peas) and combination meals for older babies and toddlers (like chicken with vegetables). Earth's Best also makes organic baby formula, though formula is a separate category with its own regulations and considerations.

If you're coming from the "Organic" section of this guide, you already know what organic certification means for food. Earth's Best takes that a step further by targeting the baby food category specifically, where parents often have concerns about pesticide residue and ingredient quality.

Key Takeaways

  • Earth's Best products carry USDA organic certification, which means independent verification that ingredients meet federal organic standards.
  • The brand offers jarred purees, squeeze pouches, finger foods, and formula, so you can choose the format that works for your baby's age and your routine.
  • Earth's Best costs more than conventional baby food brands but typically less than some other organic brands, depending on where you shop.
  • You can buy Earth's Best at most major grocery stores, online retailers, and some specialty stores, though availability varies by location and product line.

How to Read an Earth's Best Label

Every Earth's Best jar or pouch shows the USDA organic seal on the front. This seal means the product has been certified by an approved third party and meets USDA organic standards — no synthetic pesticides, no artificial preservatives, no added colors or flavors. The label also lists ingredients in order by weight, just like any other food product.

For jarred baby food, you'll see a "Stage" number on the label. Stage 1 is single-ingredient purees for babies around 4 to 6 months old. Stage 2 is thicker purees with two or more ingredients for babies around 6 to 8 months. Stage 3 is chunkier foods with more texture for babies around 8 months and older. Stage 4 is meals designed for toddlers with even more variety and texture. These stages are suggestions based on typical development, not strict rules — your pediatrician can tell you what's right for your baby.

The nutrition label on the back shows calories, protein, fat, carbohydrates, and sodium per serving. Serving size for baby food is usually 2 to 4 ounces, depending on the product. Check the "best by" date on the bottom or side of the jar or pouch; unopened Earth's Best baby food typically lasts about two years from the manufacturing date.

Jarred Food vs. Pouches vs. Other Formats

Earth's Best makes several different formats, and which one you choose depends on your situation and your baby's age. Jarred purees come in glass jars and are the classic format. You open the jar, spoon out what your baby needs, and refrigerate the rest for up to three days. Jars work well if you're feeding at home and want to see exactly what you're giving your baby. They're also reusable if you want to save the jars for storage or crafts.

Squeeze pouches are plastic pouches with a spout that your baby can hold and squeeze, or you can squeeze into a bowl. They're portable and convenient for on-the-go feeding, and they don't require a spoon. Once opened, use the pouch within one day. Pouches are popular with parents who travel or want a mess-free option, though they cost more per ounce than jars.

Earth's Best also makes finger foods — small pieces of soft fruit, vegetables, or grains designed for babies learning to self-feed, usually around 8 months and older. These come in small boxes or containers and are ready to eat straight from the package. There's also organic baby formula in powder and ready-to-feed liquid forms, though formula is a category with its own considerations and should be discussed with your pediatrician.

Where to Buy Earth's Best and What It Costs

You can find Earth's Best at most major grocery store chains, including Walmart, Target, Kroger, Safeway, and others. It's also available through online retailers like Amazon, Thrive Market, and the Hain Celestial website directly. Some natural food stores and specialty baby retailers carry it as well. Availability varies by location and by specific product — not every store carries every flavor or stage.

Price varies depending on where you shop and which format you choose. Jarred Earth's Best baby food typically costs between $0.70 and $1.20 per 4-ounce jar, though this varies by retailer and whether there's a sale. Squeeze pouches usually cost more per ounce — roughly $1.00 to $1.50 per pouch. Finger foods and other formats have their own pricing. Buying in bulk online or at warehouse stores like Costco can sometimes lower the per-unit cost, though not all locations carry Earth's Best.

If cost is a concern, compare the per-ounce price across formats and retailers. Jarred food is usually the most economical option. You can also make your own baby food by pureeing fresh or frozen organic produce at home, which is often cheaper than any brand, though it requires time and equipment.

Storage and Food Safety

Unopened Earth's Best baby food is shelf-stable and doesn't need refrigeration. Store unopened jars and pouches in a cool, dry place — a pantry or cabinet works fine. Once you open a jar, transfer any unused portion to a clean container and refrigerate it for up to three days. Do not leave opened baby food at room temperature, and do not reuse a jar that's been opened and refrigerated for more than three days.

Squeeze pouches should be used within one day of opening. If your baby drinks directly from the pouch, bacteria from their mouth can contaminate the remaining food, so squeeze the contents into a bowl if you want to save any. Never freeze baby food in glass jars — the glass can crack as the food expands. You can freeze jarred baby food if you transfer it to a freezer-safe container first; it will keep for up to three months frozen.

Always check the "best by" date before serving, and inspect the jar or pouch for signs of damage, leaks, or swelling. If a jar is swollen or leaking, or if the pouch is punctured, do not use it. Trust your senses — if the food smells off or looks discolored, throw it away.

How Organic Certification Works for Baby Food

Earth's Best products carry the USDA organic seal, which means they've been certified by an approved certifying agent. The USDA doesn't do the certification itself — it sets the standards and approves third-party organizations to verify that products meet those standards. For Earth's Best, this means an independent certifier has inspected the company's facilities, reviewed their ingredient sourcing, and confirmed that the products meet federal organic rules.

Organic certification for baby food covers the ingredients themselves, not the processing or manufacturing. So an organic jar of sweet potato means the sweet potatoes were grown without synthetic pesticides and meet organic standards, but it doesn't mean the jar was made in a special facility or that there are fewer bacteria. The USDA organic label is about how the ingredients were grown and sourced, not about sterility or safety beyond what applies to all baby food.

All baby food sold in the United States — organic or not — must meet FDA food safety standards. Earth's Best is subject to the same safety regulations as any other baby food brand. The organic certification is an additional layer of verification about ingredient sourcing, not a may provide of greater safety.

Comparing Earth's Best to Other Options

If you're deciding between Earth's Best and other baby food brands, here are the main differences. Conventional brands like Gerber and Beech-Nut are cheaper per ounce and widely available, but they're not organic and may contain ingredients grown with synthetic pesticides. Other organic brands like Ella's Kitchen, Serenity Kids, or Sprout are also certified organic but often cost more than Earth's Best and may have different ingredient combinations or formats.

Store-brand organic baby food (like Whole Foods 365 brand or Target's Good & Gather organic line) is often cheaper than Earth's Best while still being certified organic. Homemade baby food made from fresh or frozen produce is usually the cheapest option if you have time to prepare it, and you control every ingredient, though it requires more work and planning.

The choice between these options depends on your budget, how much time you have, and what matters most to you. If organic certification is important and you want a widely available brand, Earth's Best is a solid middle-ground option. If cost is the priority, conventional brands or store-brand organic options may work better. If you want maximum control over ingredients, homemade is an option to explore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Earth's Best baby food safe?

Yes. All baby food sold in the United States must meet FDA safety standards, including Earth's Best. The USDA organic certification verifies ingredient sourcing, not safety — organic and conventional baby food are held to the same food safety rules. If you have concerns about a specific product, check the "best by" date and inspect the jar or pouch for damage before use.

Can I use Earth's Best for a baby with allergies?

Earth's Best makes single-ingredient purees and combination meals with different ingredients, so you can choose products that avoid known allergens. However, always read the label carefully and check for allergen warnings. If your baby has a diagnosed food allergy, talk to your pediatrician before introducing any new food, including Earth's Best products.

Does Earth's Best have added sugar or salt?

Most Earth's Best baby food purees contain no added sugar or salt — the sweetness and flavor come from the fruit or vegetables themselves. Some combination meals and toddler foods may contain small amounts of salt for flavor. Check the nutrition label and ingredient list on the specific product you're considering, as formulations vary.

Can I buy Earth's Best baby formula?

Yes, Earth's Best makes organic infant formula in powder and ready-to-feed liquid forms. Formula is a different category with its own regulations and considerations. Talk to your pediatrician before switching formulas or starting any new formula, as they can advise what's right for your baby's age and health.

What should I do if my baby doesn't like Earth's Best?

Babies' tastes vary, and it's normal for some babies to prefer certain flavors or textures over others. Try different stages, flavors, and formats to see what your baby enjoys. You can also mix Earth's Best with other foods or introduce it alongside foods your baby already likes. If your baby consistently refuses food or shows signs of digestive upset, talk to your pediatrician.